London (AFP) – Mikel Arteta insists he is strong enough to cope with the pressure of Arsenal's dismal run as the Gunners boss dismissed their recent struggles as merely a "blip". Arteta has faced calls for his sacking after Sunday's 1-0 home defeat against Burnley condemned Arsenal to their worst start to a season since […]

Glasgow (AFP) – Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has paid an emotional tribute to Gerard Houllier after his former Liverpool boss died aged 73, calling him a "special man". Houllier passed away on Monday and former Liverpool captain Gerrard joined the football world in sending his condolences. Gerrard won the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA […]

Milan (AFP) – Juventus president Andrea Agnelli said Monday the Italian champions were awaiting an answer from Argentina forward Paulo Dybala on a contract offer which would make him "among the 20 highest paid footballers in Europe". Dybala scored his first Serie A goal in five months on Sunday during a 3-1 win over Genoa, […]

Prague (AFP) – Petr Cech returned to the pitch 18 months after retiring to help Chelsea's reserve team beat Tottenham's under-23 side on Monday despite conceding two early goals and grappling with nerves. Chelsea's second string returned to the top of Premier League 2 after coming back from 2-0 down on 17 minutes to win […]

London (AFP) – Current Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp paid tribute to former Reds boss Gerard Houllier, who died aged 73 on Monday, calling the Frenchman a "true coaching legend". Houllier won four major trophies, including an unprecedented treble in 2001, during a six-year spell as manager of the Premier League giants. "He is a true […]

Milan (AFP) – AS Roma's Bryan Cristante has fallen victim to Italy's strict ban on taking God's name in vain on the pitch, picking up a one-match ban for blasphemy, the Lega Serie A announced on Monday. The 25-year-old Italy international midfielder was sanctioned for swearing after he conceded an own goal during Sunday’s 5-1 […]

Milan (AFP) – Atalanta captain Papu Gomez fuelled speculation on Monday over his future with the Serie A club, telling fans: "When I leave you will know the truth". The 32-year-old reportedly had a bust-up with coach Gian Piero Gasperini at half-time during the Bergamo club's Champions League draw against Midtjylland two weeks ago, and […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Brazilian star Neymar gave fans a reassuring message on Monday after undergoing tests on the ankle he injured in Paris Saint-Germain's 1-0 Ligue 1 defeat to Lyon at the weekend. Neymar left the field on a stretcher in apparent agony on Sunday but on Instagram he said: "It could have […]

Aix-en-Provence (France) (AFP) – Two Russian men were on Monday sentenced to jail terms of three years and 10 years for a savage attack on an English football supporter at the 2016 European championships. Mikhail Ivkin received a three-year term and Pavel Kossov the longer sentence for their role in the beating that left Briton […]

Paris (AFP) – Manchester United will face La Liga leaders Real Sociedad in the last 32 of the Europa League following Monday's draw in Nyon, after they were dumped out of the Champions League last week. United dropped down to the Europa League, which they won in 2017, after RB Leipzig knocked them out of […]

Milan (AFP) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic is poised to return from injury as AC Milan look to extend their lead at the top of the Serie A table at lowly Genoa on Wednesday. Ibrahimovic has missed his side's last three games but is still joint top scorer in Serie A alongside Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus with […]

Paris (AFP) – Neymar has received a "reassuring" prognosis after an X-ray on his injured ankle that forced him to be stretchered off in a Ligue 1 match at the weekend, Paris Saint-Germain said Monday. "The clinical opinion following a left ankle sprain sustained last night, is reassuring," the club said. The announcement is positive […]

Aix-en-Provence (France) (AFP) – Two Russian men were on Monday sentenced to jail terms of three years and 10 years for a savage attack on an English football supporter at the 2016 European championships. Mikhail Ivkin received a three-year term and Pavel Kossov the longer sentence for their role in the beating that left Briton […]

Paris (AFP) – Manchester United will face La Liga leaders Real Sociedad in the last 32 of the Europa League following Monday's draw in Nyon, after they were dumped out of the Champions League last week. United dropped down to the Europa League, which they won in 2017, after RB Leipzig knocked them out of […]

London (AFP) – Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney says the players must take responsibility for the club's "terrible" form after the Gunners lost a fourth home Premier League game in a row. Burnley recorded their first-ever win at the Emirates on Sunday as a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang own goal secured a 1-0 victory for the visitors after […]